DIZZYING GANJA AT PASHUPATI

By Eak Raj Bastola

Sadhus burn chillims and continually exhale dizzying smog of ganja to turn the air dizzying in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple. The North-East wind coming from Mrigasthali first shapes the smoke, and later fades it into thin air only to leave a hazy feeling amongst people passing to and fro the stairs. However, people wishing to celebrate Shivaratri within the temple's periphery with ganjas, bhang and dhaturo might stumble across Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT)'s decision to minimize marijuana's usage.

Umesh Kuikel, coordinator of Sub-Committee for Publicity at PADT said that they are working along with security personals and volunteers to minimize marijuana's dosage. Saying that marijuana's usage reduced the festival into an occasion where people consumed the hemp for hallucinogen, and its negative impact on human health, the Guthi sansthan, unlike earlier years, has come up with a decision to stop selling the cannabis. People under the influence of cannabis are continually under hallucination, and are likely to result in misbehavior amongst devotees.

Regardless of PADT's decision, sadhus and other people continually respire marijuana only to sedate the area's air. Sadhus are openly selling cigarettes filled with ganjas for Rs. 10 to Rs. 25.

This year's Shivaratri will see around 3500 sadhus from India and Nepal. "Around 4000 security personals from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force, along with 7000 volunteers will be deployed at the site for easing devotees," Kuikel said.

Apart from restricting marijuana, PADT will also focus on sanitation. It has decided to ban less than 20% micron plastic bag in the area. Likewise, to ease mobile network, NTC has installed mobile-van BTS tower. PADT has assured that according to their tickets, devotees will be taken for the visit within the temple from 10 to 30 minutes. (Text is based on Shivaratri in Pashupatinath)